FM19 - Making a Manager - 01 - Setting Up My Game

This is the game-defining moment. Where do you want to start your journey? Of course, you can always move away from the club at some point in your save, but many FMers prefer to stick out a save with just one team, making this decision incredibly important.

When selecting a team, I have to ask myself what I want to achieve with this save. My objective is to demonstrate how I approach different facets of the game at various levels, all in one. A team in the sixth tier of English football (National League North/South) would offer the option to do this, as these teams start out semi-professional. Becoming a world-beating team would obviously be the objective, but the journey in between the start and that end goal would be where my fascination lies.

I know which league(s) I want to manage in, but how do I narrow down my choice? There are various different aspects to consider; squad ability, financial power, stadium size, facilities. For me, my choice was based on the logo and name, in truth. With all due respect, I don't think I could play an entire FM managing a team with a red and brown coat of arms as a logo (Altrincham, etc). My team had to be one with a more sleek logo.

My choice of club is a simple one for me. It isn't a club expected to achieve promotion, but rather to fight for survival. They have a small squad at their disposal, despite being 136 years old. Oxford City will be my club of choice for FM19, and I will look to bring them to the pinnacle of world football.

Oxford City are the lesser of two football clubs based in Oxford, with Oxford United competing in the EFL League One (England's third tier). The City (Oxford City's nickname) play in blue and white hoops, and their home ground is Court Place Farm, a modest stadium of 3,000 capacity (450 seated).

I will go far more in-depth over Oxford City in the next tutorial, but for now we have a starting point. Hoorah!